Game Changers

Herrin High School head boys coach Sayler Shurtz (left) and Harrisburg High School head girls coach Jake Stewart will both be honored this weekend at the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association banquet in Bloomington. The two were a handful of area local coaches that were named IBCA Coach Of The Year for their respective districts.SPYDER DANN | mdann@dailyregister.com

For some, there is a first time for everything. For others, the record stays on repeat.

This weekend, a handful of area coaches will be recognized as Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Coach Of The Year for their respective districts and for two in particular, the awards come in different manner.

Harrisburg head coach Jake Stewart won his third straight District 21 IBCA Girls Coach Of The Year honor. It's the fourth time in the last eight seasons the former Harrisburg High School alum has been recognized after he has led the Bulldog girls' basketball team to 171 wins and four regionals.

"It's always nice to get recognized for something, but there are a lot of people who play a role in the success of our program," Stewart said. "People like coach (Stephanie) Ferrell, coach (Jacob) Morse, and coach (Jason) Riggs are amazing and we all work very well together. We each have a role in player development, scouting, and game management. I appreciate them and all they do very much.

"Our players have been amazing. Especially, this year with how we started the season with two big injuries. We had kids step and up and fill roles while our returning players carried an even bigger role and played great. I'm so proud of those kids for sticking together and not settling but wanting to keep our tradition going and having a very successful season."

For one District 21 coach, the award is his first, but likely not his last.

Sayler Shurtz is the other local coach that will be in Bloomington this weekend and will be recognized.

Shurtz led Herrin to a 27-5 record overall and the Tigers went 9-0 in the Southern Illinois River-To-River Conference Ohio Division, as well as, a Regional in Class 3A.

"This award is an extension of our basketball team," Shurtz said. "The players really put the work in and they deserve all the credit. It makes it easier when you work alongside with some great coaches too."

Shurtz, like all the other coaches, doesn't set out to win these kind of awards, but there is some validation for the time and effort put into a sport the Benton native cares so much about.

"When you go up against the Hall of Fame coaches we have in our conference twice a year, you know you have to go above and beyond in your preparation and game planning. It's nice to be recognized by the IBCA and I hope it means that we're on the right track going forward for our basketball program."

Putting a program on a map is where Stewart and Shurtz share a common bond.

After eight years on the job and one conference championship (2017-18), Stewart feels like the foundation has been set.

It shows that we have the program on the right track," Stewart said. "That what we are doing is working and we have a system that can produce winning basketball. I've already had former and current players texting me congratulations. To me, that's the best part. Making my players as proud as they have made me."

Spyder Dann covers prep and college sports for the Southern Illinois Local Media News Group. Follow him on Twitter: @spydieshooter.